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Downward-facing dog day!

June 21, 2018

“Deep Breaths are like little love notes to your body”

Happy International Yoga day. What started out as a cool thing to do in Varsity ( I did Ashtanga yoga then) grew into one of my favourite things. I now Practise Iyengar yoga, this is one of the best methods to keep my anxiety at bay. In order to celebrate the day, I would like to talk about the different styles of yoga. Perhaps you are curious or not sure which one to try : hopefully today’s post will be of some assistance

Courtesy of insta: nakedyogagirl

Iyengar

This is the more traditional yoga. That is focused on alignment and posture, it also known for using props ( blocks, ropes, mat and sponge) to ensure correct posture is obtained and prevent injury. Poses are held for somewhat longish ( depending what style you’re used to) periods of time whilst focusing on your breath.

Ashtanga

It is also known as the eight limbs of yoga, it is one of the more active forms. The same set of sequences are done each time, in fact in Mysore led yoga there is no instructor to say the next posture as you are expected to know it.

Vinyasa

Here the students move quickly between the sequences ( no class is ever the same) often with music being played in the background.

Log out, shut down and do yoga

Kundalini

The more spiritual style, involves levels of different breathing techniques, mantras and chanting. This style is aimed at releasing the Kundalini spirit that is believed to be trapped or coiled at the bottom of your spine.Not a style that I would personally try.

“Breathe in love’ exhale hate”

Bikram

Another one of the more energetic styles, designed by Bikram Choudhry in the seventies. The class is usually 90 minutes, 40 degrees celsius. It consists of the same 26 postures and two breaths, there is no music but wall to wall of mirrors to ensure correct posture. Perhaps you have heard of hot yoga, it is similar but with one or two differences hence it cannot be called Bikram. I think closer to summer when I am a few centimeters short of my body goals I will try out a class.

The amazing thing ( as if there is only one) about yoga is that you can do it anywhere, at any fitness level and no matter what size you are. I also enjoy the classes especially when we are shown a new posture and how we laugh when we know we probably not going to get it the first few tries. So today on this International yoga day, go out and try out any class nearest to you, your body will thank you.Namaste.

“”Yoga allows you to find a new kind of freedom, that you may have not known existed”-B.K.S Iyengar

2 thoughts on “Downward-facing dog day!”

I really enjoyed this post. Yoga is something I am very interested in but I put it off because I don’t even know where to start. Do you have any recommendations for beginners? A YouTube channel or something I can follow at home?

Hi Kerry. Thanks so much for the positive response. I do yoga at my local gym. I follow the nakedyogagirl on insta. However I would suggest you find out local classes closest to you. If you have injuries and want a relaxed class try Iyengar ( most virgin active gyms offer that style) then if you want to sweat try hot yoga. Hope this is helpful I will look for good beginner yoga classes on youtube and let you know 🙂

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About the author

Molweni my name is Sandisiwe, welcome to my blog. I am a writer at heart with a taste for the finer things in life, but I enjoy being an independent soul who walks to her own beat. So by day I work in HR and by night I am a blogger.

I want to share my love of food, girl’s nights and some of my personal stories. So step into my place and let’s have some fun.